June 25, 2007

ISSUE 1172

INDIANA SELECTED TO TEST PILOT FLEX PROGRAM

The House Agriculture Committee Subcommittees have completed their work on the Farm Bill titles under their jurisdiction. As part of its markup, the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management released language that maintains the current restrictions that prevent the planting of fruits and vegetables on acres receiving program payments with one exception - it creates a pilot program to be carried out in Indiana that allows planting of tomatoes grown for processing.

Among other markups of interest to specialty crop producers, th e Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research reauthorized and amended the Environmental

Quality Incentives Program and called for increased funding to $2 billion.
Full committee consideration and floor action on the Farm Bill is expected over the next 6 weeks. The House has pushed back consideration of floor action until late July.

FOUNDATION RENAMED TO REFLECT SPECIALTY CROP FOCUS

INDIANA SELECTED TO TEST PILOT FLEX PROGRAM

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OJ TAX INCREASES, PRE-HARVEST INSPECTIONS MAY BE DROPPED

WEDGWORTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR CLASS VII

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS WEDGWORTH

FLORIDA AGRI-WOMEN SELECTS FOUNDERS’ AWARD WINNER